Beyond Open Access: Conceptualizing Open Science for Knowledge Co-creation

Abstract

Despite the calls from European Union (EU) and global institutions, such as UNESCO and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for more openness and collaboration between Quadruple Helix actors (government, academia, industry, and civil society), in practice, scientific knowledge creation has been much more closed and fragmented. As an emerging field of study, Open Science (OS) for knowledge co-creation currently requires significantly conceptual and theoretical challenges to be addressed before advancing to practical application. To address this gap, the paper aims to develop a conceptual framework integrating diverse understandings of OS beyond the use of Open Access (OA) and data practices. The author argues that OS should be approached as a complex ecosystem with the potential for knowledge co-creation and social innovations. The underlying premise of the proposed conceptual model is the interdisciplinarity in integrating multiple reference disciplines. Such an approach allows us to learn from other disciplines and contribute to OS research through the emergence of new ideas for theory and practical application. Consequently, a dyadic model is presented where (1) framework conditions regulate how (2) systemic conditions can realize their full potential for knowledge co-creation resulting in outputs (e.g., collaborative projects and citizen science projects) and outcomes (e.g., social innovations, higher quality of science, and democratized knowledge) beneficial for a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

Open Science for Knowledge Co-Creation: Methodological Framework and Empirical Evidence

“…The framework is based on the analysis of factors identified through the literature review and exploratory study. Previous work by the author details the theoretical influences of each dimension and the underlying logic of the framework [23], [24]. Brief descriptions of evaluation dimensions are provided in Table 1.…”

“…Feedback and monitoring processes at the national and institutional levels focused on Open Science activities Source: defined by author in [23], [24] The framework suggests that in evaluation of research and innovation ecosystems two important dimensions have to be considered i.e., framework conditions (structural factors that are amendable through policy interventions) and systemic (dynamics, linkages, and networks of the co-creation process) conditions. The dyadic approach provides a portrayal of national research and innovation systems where framework conditions regulate how systemic conditions can realize their full potential for knowledge co-creation.…”